mamaroneck Oral Surgery

Oral surgery may be used to treat a range of injuries, defects and diseases affecting your teeth, gums and jawbone. Recovery from oral surgery can take several days, but there are steps you can take to help speed up the process. Here are eight tips for a faster recovery.

1. Protect the Surgical Area

Limit talking, eating and drinking for the first few hours after surgery. You should also avoid spitting, so you don’t disturb your wound.

2. Rest

Plan on taking it easy after surgery. Most patients can resume normal activities within 24 hours, but avoid strenuous activities for at least a week.

3. Stick to a Soft Diet

Eat soft after surgery. Diets can usually be advanced within a week but avoid hard, hot or chewy foods that might irritate the wound.

4. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of liquids, but don’t drink through a straw, as the suction could disturb your wound. Avoid drinking carbonated, caffeinated or hot beverages in the first 24 hours after surgery.

5. Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco

Avoid alcohol and tobacco for at least one week following surgery, as both can delay healing and increase your risk for complications. The surgery might be a perfect time to quit and improve your health. If you need help to stop smoking, talk to your doctor.

6. Use a Cold Compress

Apply a cold compress to your face as directed by your oral surgeon for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. This will help to minimize swelling, bruising and discomfort.

7. Take Pain Medication

Take pain medications as directed by your oral surgeon. Your surgeon may recommend over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or may prescribe stronger pain medications.

8. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Carefully brush your teeth using a soft-bristled manual toothbrush, but be gentle around the surgical site. You may be advised to avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours after surgery. After that, rinse with warm salt water every few hours and after meals for one week.

Recovery from oral surgery can take time and is different for everyone. By following these tips and your oral surgeon’s postoperative instructions, you can improve your chances of making a fast and full recovery.

If you have any questions or concerns about recovering from oral surgery, contact Dr. Elias and Dr. Paonessa at 914-873-0045.

Your oral surgeon uses anesthesia to stop you from feeling pain during the procedure. The exact type of anesthesia used depends on your personal requests as well as the doctor’s recommendation. Here are the three most common types used during oral surgery.

Local Anesthesia

You receive an injection in the gum that numbs the surgical area so the oral surgeon can perform the planned procedure. The doctor waits a few minutes to give the anesthetic time to reduce the sensation. You might feel some pressure, but you won’t be in pain.

Oral or Inhalational Sedation (laughing gas)

Both of these options allow nervous patients to undergo the anesthetic injection more easily. Valium can be given in pill or liquid forms prior to the procedure. Laughing gas works quickly to decrease apprehension about oral surgery.

Sedation

Sometimes patient’s request sedation so that they are less aware of the injection and procedure. Dental phobia and anxiety are well treated with sedation. This anesthesia option offers you an experience where you are moderately to fully sedated. Moderate levels leave you aware of the situation, but you don’t mind what’s going on, decreasing anxiety and stress. Fully sedated options leave you completely unaware, with little or no memories of the surgery.

How to Choose the Best Dental Anesthesia Option

Collaborate with your oral surgeon to choose the anesthesia option that will lead to the best results. Many factors play into the decision-making process. Your age, health and anesthetic preference are all taken into consideration. The ultimate goal is for a successful and safe procedure.

If you have any questions or concerns about your anesthesia options before your procedure, contact Dr. Elias and Dr. Paonessa to schedule a consultation, 914-873-0045.

Obstructive sleep could have a detrimental impact on your oral health. The Journal of Dental and Oral Health, which reviewed several studies in 2015, concluded that sleep apnea — a common sleep disorder that affects a person’s breathing during sleep — could increase the risk of periodontitis, a gum infection that damages the teeth’s bone and soft tissue. This condition causes the gums to swell up, bleed and even recede.

1. What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea affects 22 million Americans, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association, and 80 percent of moderate and severe cases have yet to be diagnosed. This condition causes your airway to become blocked and reduces the amount of air that reaches your lungs. People who suffer from sleep apnea may snore loudly, wake up with a sore throat, have a restless night’s sleep and lack energy during the day.

2. Sleep Apnea and Gum Disease

The Journal of Dental and Oral Health reviewed Korean research, where 460 men and 227 women aged between 47 and 77 were studied for 13 months. Participants with obstructive sleep apnea were positively associated with periodontitis after health-screening and periodontal examinations.

Other research has also found a correlation between sleep apnea and gum disease. One study showed a link between people with sleep apnea and tooth grinding, something that could lead to swollen gums becoming even more inflamed.

Sleep apnea also encourages bacteria growth in a person’s mouth during sleep, which causes plaque to reside on the teeth. If left untreated, this can lead to gingivitis — a mild form of gum disease — or in more severe cases, periodontal disease, where teeth can become loose.

3. The Solution

There are a number of treatments for people with sleep apnea. These include both surgical and non-surgical options. CPAP machines a non-surgical option, deliver pressurized oxygen to reduce obstruction of the airway during sleep. Surgical options open the airway to relieve the obstruction. Mamaroneck Oral Surgerycan address the surgical option that best corrects the individual’s condition.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, contact Dr. Elias and Dr. Paonessa to schedule a consultation, 914-873-0045.

Posted by
Richard L. Elias, DMD, MD on
Dec 15th, 2016 11:55 am
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Oral Health, Sleep Apnea |
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Oral cancer affected 48,000 people in 2016, according to the National Cancer Institute. This disease covers cancer of the mouth, throat and sinuses. When dental professionals discover it in its earlier stages, patient survival rates are as high as 83.3 percent. This figure drops down to 38 percent if it has metastasized. An oral cancer screening is an essential tool for keeping yourself safe and healthy.

Factors Increasing Your Risk of Oral Cancer

You may have a higher than average chance of developing oral cancer due to associated risk factors. For example, smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than people who have never smoked. Alcohol is another substance that makes this outcome more likely. In addition, men are twice as likely to develop oral cancer than women.

Oral Screening

Your dentist can perform an oral cancer screening during a typical dental checkup. They look for any sores or abnormal areas in your mouth and check for swelling in the nearby lymph nodes. If they find problem areas during the examination, they will refer you to an oral surgeon for a biopsy. Biopsy specimens are sent to an oral pathologist to obtain an accurate microscopic diagnosis. If you feel like there is a growth in your mouth call your dentist for a screening. This can help you get the medical attention you need as quickly as possible.

Oral cancer has a good prognosis when you find the signs of it early on. With help from your dentist and oral surgeon, you can take care of your oral health and reduce your risk.

If you suspect something is wrong or feel as though you are at risk of oral cancer contact Dr. Elias and Dr. Paonessa to schedule a consultation, 914-873-0045.

Improved Self-Esteem

You may find it difficult to maintain confidence if you have a broken or missing tooth. Though, over time, you may also have perfected a closed-mouth smile so you don’t have to feel like people are judging you. This damage to your self-esteem can cost you friendships, relationships and job opportunities. Dental implants solve self-esteem issues by giving you teeth that look natural and healthy.

Pain-Free Eating

Hot and cold sensitivity, along with nerve pain, makes eating with a broken tooth difficult. You may eat too little and end up malnourished, or you may be able to enjoy a diet of only soft foods. Dental implants let you enjoy meals and eat normally — you can go out with your friends when they head to restaurants, rather than turning down social engagements due to dental troubles.

Avoiding Bone Erosion

An empty socket in your jaw can lead to long-term bone loss problems if it isn’t addressed. An implant sits on a post that fills that spot, so you have the proper support to help prevent deterioration.

Long-Term Solution

Dentures, crowns and bridges must be replaced more frequently than dental implants. When you get implants, you can rest assured your solution doesn’t need frequent upkeep. You may even be able to go as long as a decade without having to do anything with your implants.

No Damage to Other Teeth

Bridges rely on the strength of surrounding teeth, which puts undue strain on them. They may wear down and break over time, making the original problem worse. You won’t run into this situation with dental implants, as the supporting post does not hurt anything in your mouth.

Dental implants give you a healthy, long-term solution for the replacement of broken or missing teeth. You have already dealt with more than enough pain due to your situation, and this permanent procedure can get your smile happy and back on track.

Does the thought of having your wisdom teeth removed make you cringe? So you’ll just put it off as long as possible, right? Wrong! Even though wisdom teeth removal may seem intimidating and painful, it’s better to be safe than sorry…and in pain. Delaying your wisdom teeth removal surgery can be extremely detrimental to your overall oral health.

3 Reasons to Remove Wisdom Teeth Sooner Rather than Later

Wisdom teeth, or the third molars, are the last teeth to erupt in your upper and lower jaw. They usually surface sometime between a person’s late teen years and early twenties. During this time, if you have an oral exam and the oral surgeon recommends wisdom teeth removal, you should not delay! It’s time to schedule the procedure. Here are the three reasons you shouldn’t postpone wisdom teeth removal:

1. Tooth Decay/Gum Disease

It is extremely difficult to brush and floss around your wisdom teeth. With the bacteria build up you’re susceptible to tooth decay. Plus, as your wisdom teeth erupt there is an opening in your mouth that can easily become inflamed. This can make your gums uncomfortably swollen and tender and an infection could develop.

2. Easier Procedure and Recovery

It’s common sense that a healthy tooth is easier to extract than a damaged tooth. So why wait for a problem before scheduling your wisdom teeth removal? Remove them before a problem develops – especially because it’s hard to predict future problems with wisdom teeth. Plus, it’s best to have your wisdom teeth pulled as soon as possible because young adults experience serious complications less often . Ahh, to be young!

3. Impacted Teeth

When there is not enough room for the wisdom teeth to erupt they get stuck under the gums, impacted. Impacted teeth can develop cysts and tumors to form which can affect adjacent structures like bone and teeth. Removing the teeth prevents this potentially serious complication.

Choosing between a beautiful healthy smile or looking like a jack-o-lantern is a no brainer! Everyone wants a mouthful of pearly whites without missing or cracked teeth. That’s why having dental implant surgery can be life changing! Dental implants provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Before scheduling your surgery, it’s important to have a consultation with an oral surgeon to make sure you are the right candidate for the procedure.Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by
Richard L. Elias, DMD, MD on
Jun 30th, 2016 5:00 pm
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Dental Implants |
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It’s been almost a year since Matthew Paonessa, DDS, MD joined our team at Mamaroneck Oral Surgery, and his patients already recognize his talent and recommend him as a highly skilled oral surgeon in Westchester, NY. As a Mamaroneck local, we are confident Dr. Paonessa will be a healthcare staple in the community for years to come.

“Was referred by local dentist. I’ve always been a tough patient, and very apprehensive. Had a procedure done by Dr. Paonessa, and I must say, it was the most pain free dental experience I ever had. Dr. Paonessa is a very talented surgeon. I highly recommend this Doctor.” –David B. on Yelp.

Get to Know Dr. Paonessa

A graduate of Mamaroneck High School, Dr. Paonessa went on to complete his undergraduate degree at State University of New York College at Cortland, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. While studying for his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Paonessa was invited to join Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). OKU, the national dental honor society founded in 1914, was formed to promote the ideals of high scholarship and character among dental students by accepting only the 10% of all dental students. Dr. Paonessa then moved on to Stony Brook School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree.

Above: Dr. Allan Kucine, associate dean for clinical affairs and acting chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, presented the New York State Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s Award to Dr Paonessa, the graduate who demonstrated outstanding ability in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Dr. Paonessa completed his 6 years of training in Oral & Maxillofacial surgery at Northshore-LIJ. His residency included a 1-year general surgery internship at Stony Brook University Hospital, which earned him recognition as Resident of the Year in 2015, In his final year, Dr. Paonessa was Chief Resident, Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Dental Medicine at Northwell Health.

While treating patients at Mamaroneck Oral Surgery, Dr. Paonessa is a member of the voluntary faculty at Weill Cornell Medical College (WCM) at Cornell University. In this role as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Dr. Paonessa uses his “rich, multi-disciplinary expertise to teach, participate in clinical research, and collaborate on patient care with full-time faculty physicians.” A board eligible Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Paonessa is also on the attending staff at New York/Presbyterian Hospital.

Ever notice a gap between your upper and lower set of teeth when you smile? This misalignment of the teeth is called an open bite. Although an open bite can be a very common oral problem, there is the possibility of serious negative effects on a person’s oral health and quality of life.

More specifically, open bite is when the front teeth, both upper and lower, are forced outwards to an extent that the teeth do not touch each other, even when the mouth is closed. Open bite is usually caused by putting strain on your teeth, especially at a young age. These causes include:

Tongue thrusting

Thumb sucking

Excessive chewing on objects, such as a pencil

Having an open bite may seem like a small oral health problem, but it can have major effects on a person’s overall health. Most obviously, an open bite affects a person’s smile, which can in turn affect their self-esteem and daily interactions. An open bite not only affects your appearance, but it can cause speech problems, like having a lisp. A lisp is cute as a child, but can cause you to be self conscious as an adult. Plus, since a person with an open bite generally puts an unnatural amount of pressure on their molars, it impacts their tooth structure over time. The force and pressure will lead to tooth wear, breakage, and decay. A misaligned bite can also cause TMJ disorder, which in turn leads to daily discomfort, headaches, and facial pain.

In less severe cases, open bite can be improved through orthodontic treatment. Braces or headgear can be used to move the position of your teeth or expand your palate, however results are not permanent. In more severe cases, jaw surgery becomes necessary to properly align your jawbones.

To learn more about options for your or a family member’s open gap, contact Dr. Elias and Dr. Paonessa at Mamaroneck Oral Surgery for a consultation, 914-873-0045.

Posted by
Richard L. Elias, DMD, MD on
Jan 26th, 2016 9:31 am
Posted in
Oral Health |
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Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which a person’s airway is repeatedly blocked during sleep, cutting off their air supply. People with sleep apnea suffer from disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels that can lead to other very serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

It’s important to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea and to get a consultation from a sleep specialist or oral surgeon to get a diagnosis. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should schedule a consultation:

Noticeable pauses in breathing during sleep

Loud snoring

Excessive daytime sleepiness or drowsiness

Dry mouth/Sore throat

Loss of concentration

Morning headaches

Depression

An oral surgeon will become involved if sleep apnea is a result of structural issues, like excess soft tissue at the rear of the throat or smaller airways or nasal passages. Sometimes, however, sleep apnea is a result of smoking or it is hereditary and passed down through families.

There are several treatment options for sleep apnea and the right oral surgeon can help determine which will be most effective for you. Treatment ranges from a non-invasive CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine all the way to surgery. Usually a CPAP machine is the first treatment option, as it is extremely effective and meant for at-home use. The CPAP device delivers pressurized oxygen through a nasal mask to limit obstruction at night and ease breathing. If the CPAP machine doesn’t work, surgery will usually be performed to tighten the soft palate, or in more serious cases, reposition the jaw.

Sleep apnea is a very serious condition that needs careful attention and treatment. If you think you’re suffering from sleep apnea, call Dr. Elias and Dr. Paonessa at Mamaroneck Oral Surgery to schedule an appointment, 914-873-0045.

Posted by
Richard L. Elias, DMD, MD on
Jan 13th, 2016 10:18 am
Posted in
Sleep Apnea |
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